Supporting Our Young People: Youth Mental Health First Aiders at Our Club.
We’re proud to share that several of our club members are now qualified Youth Mental Health First Aiders, trained through the nationally recognised Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) program by Mental Health First Aid Australia.
This is an important step forward for our club and our community. It strengthens our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all young people who participate in our programs — whether they’re training, competing, volunteering, or simply spending time around the club.
What Is a Youth Mental Health First Aider?
A Youth Mental Health First Aider is an adult who has completed accredited training to:
- Recognise early signs of mental health problems in young people aged 12–18
- Approach and support a young person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge
- Respond in crisis situations, including when a young person may be at risk of harm
- Encourage and assist young people to seek professional help
- Reduce stigma by promoting understanding, empathy, and open conversation
The training is evidence based, internationally recognised, and rigorously evaluated, giving our club’s YMHFAiders the confidence and practical skills to support young people when it matters most.
More information about the course can be found on the MHFA Australia website
What This Means for Our Club Community
Having trained YMHFAiders within our club helps us:
Create a safer, more supportive environment
Young people face unique pressures — school, sport, social media, identity, relationships, and more. Our YMHFAiders are equipped to notice when something doesn’t seem right and to offer early, compassionate support.
Strengthen wellbeing across our youth programs
Whether on the beach, in the clubhouse, or during training sessions, our YMHFAiders can provide initial support if a young person is struggling emotionally, socially, or mentally.
Respond appropriately in crisis situations
The training covers a range of crisis scenarios, including when a young person may be at risk of self-harm, panic attacks, severe distress, or other urgent concerns. YMHFAiders know how to respond calmly and safely until professional help is available.
Reduce stigma and encourage open conversations
By normalising discussions about mental health, we help young people feel seen, supported, and understood — and we help parents and carers feel more confident that their children are in a caring environment.
How Young People and Families Can Access Support
Our Youth Mental Health First Aiders are available to provide initial, confidential, nonjudgmental support to any young person connected to our club.
They are not counsellors or therapists, but they are trained to:
- Listen
- Provide reassurance
- Offer practical guidance
- Connect young people with appropriate professional help
If you, your child or anyone you know would like to speak with one of our YMHFAiders, you can: - Approach them directly at the club
- Speak with a committee member who can connect you
- Email the club
We encourage parents, carers, and youth members to reach out whenever they feel support may be helpful — no concern is too small.
Our Commitment
Our club is more than a place to train — it’s a community. By investing in Youth Mental Health First Aid training, we’re investing in the wellbeing, resilience, and safety of our young people.
We’re proud of our newly qualified YMHFAiders and grateful for the time and care they’ve dedicated to supporting the next generation of surf lifesavers.
Meet Our Youth Mental Health First Aiders
We’re proud to introduce the club members who have completed accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid training:
- Barry Muncke
- Richard Trim
- Janine Fahey
- Sharon Bosward
- Bella Dunkin
- David Macintosh
- Ken Gittoes
- Greg MacMahon
- Fiona Hall
- Ben Crabbe
- Christian Loone
These members are available for confidential, supportive conversations with any young person in our club. If you’d like to speak with one of them, feel free to approach them directly or contact the club to arrange a private chat.
If your preferred person is unavailable, one of the other MHFAiders will contact you to offer assistance. If you prefer, or your need is more urgent, you may wish to use one of the following services.